Area Episcopal mission becomes official

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Episcopal clergy and delegates from all over eastern South Carolina admitted five Continuing Worship Groups as official Missions of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina and The Episcopal Church, at the 223rd Annual Convention of The Episcopal Church in SC at All Saints Episcopal Church in Hilton Head.

Mission churches from Florence, Conway, Edisto, West Ashley, and Summerville had completed all steps required by The Episcopal Church in establishing themselves as strong viable congregations.

As more than 25 representatives of the Summerville church processed down the aisle behind their new Good Shepherd banner, they were thunderously welcomed by hundreds of cheering members of the wider church.

Lifelong Summervillian and member George Tupper described it as “such a joyful celebration. And now that we are recognized as a mission, it shows that many things have come together for us at Good Shepherd. We are looking forward to continue growing and doing the work we need to do.”

Convention leadership told the convention gathering that the Church has much to learn from these courageous faithful groups.

What had begun in October 2012 as a continuing Episcopal worship group of around 15 members has grown into an active parish with more than 65 members, according to a Good Shepard spokesman.

When their former parishes disassociated from The Episcopal Church, they explained, those wanting to continue as Episcopalians were left to re-organize themselves as a parish.

The Wesley United Methodist Church, provided a place to worship. Good Shepherd worships there each Sunday morning, following the Wesley congregation’s service.

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Summerville celebrates Holy Eucharist every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Wesley church, just off West 5th South at 125 Pressley Ave.

Christian Education classes for children and adults are held at 10 a.m. in the Timrod Library, just a short sidewalk up from the church. Priest-In-Charge is The Rev. Al Votaw.

For more information, visit www.episcopalchurchofgoodshep-summerville.org/.

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